Robbie Mulhern will be ‘some player’ for Hull KR next year if he can further improve on 2018’s standout season, according to Tim Sheens.

The Rovers prop capped off a tremendous individual campaign by making his England debut against France, as well as touring Papua New Guinea with the England Knights as international honours were the reward for a stellar season.

The 24-year-old, who is contracted at KR until the end of 2021, returns to pre-season training at KCOM Craven Park Monday morning and Sheens says the challenge for Mulhern is to now excel on what he has achieved in the last 12 months.

“It was great to see (England coach) Wayne Bennett make a decision to bring him in. I’m really pleased for Rob, he’s worked really hard,” Sheens told Hull Live.

“When I say he’s got a long way to go, he’s already well down the track to being a representative prop in my opinion but he’s still got bits and pieces to add to his game.

“He’s prepared to work at those things. If I see an improvement to what I saw this year then he’ll be some player.

“That rep footy will have helped him, just for confidence of Bennett bringing him in let alone the two games against the Kumuls.

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“He’s the sort of modern-day prop by way of the faster game. He’s quick enough to play back-row in my opinion. The speed of the group is good which helps as well as that size and that skill level is getting better and better.”

Alongside Mulhern, half-back Chris Atkin is also back in the pre-season frame.

There are now less than two months before the Super League season begins as Rovers welcome Hull FC on February 1, and Sheens is keen to get as much work done ahead of that highly-anticipated derby opener and the preceding friendlies against Widnes Vikings and Toronto Wolfpack next month.

“The sooner we can get our full team together, the quicker we can do things and we’re into friendlies in a month, basically,” Sheens added.

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“The two boys needed a rest physically and mentally given the extra games. It was only two matches but going away from your family and all sort of different things, a tour has its benefits but also its downsides too.

“It’s a bit of a come-down afterwards and you have to get your head around coming back here training! But both boys have been in to say hello and both are keen to get started.”